China’s Epigenic Therapeutics has completed a Series B funding round, raising $60m to support the clinical development of its epigenetic inactivator, EPI-003, aimed at providing a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B, and EPI-001, designed to treat hypercholesterolemia.

The investment round was led by Lapam Capital and saw support from current backers OrbiMed and Qiming Venture Partners.

It also welcomed new investors such as IFSC, alongside an investment company within the industry.

The influx of capital will also expedite the progress of several preclinical programmes and enhance the company's technology platforms.

Founded in 2021, Epigenic is focused on creating gene modulation therapies by harnessing epigenome regulation to combat widespread diseases.

Epigenic's EPIREG technology platform offers silencing of genes through deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation as well as histone modification.

EPIREG's methodology offers a safer approach for individuals with chronic conditions compared to traditional gene-editing techniques, which typically involve DNA cleavage.

It has also developed an in vivo LNP delivery platform, EpiTax, which facilitates the delivery of EPIREG tools not only to the liver but also to extrahepatic organs.

Epigenic's AIAID platform plays a key role in the molecular design and selection process for epigenetic medicines.

Equipped with a self-made foundational model for epigenetics, the platform provides essential data and algorithmic support.

It also features a multi-agent collaborative virtual lab that autonomously conducts a range of tasks, from target discovery to multi-omics analysis.

The platform's use of AI for de novo protein design and directed evolution is integral to the rapid discovery and refinement of EPIREG tools.

Epigenic is developing a pipeline of product candidates, addressing conditions such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, viral hepatitis, autoimmune disorders and ocular diseases.